Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the Somali referee who was barred from entering the United States for the World Cup, has been chosen to officiate the Super Cup by Uefa.
Artan was denied entry into the US due to alleged links to “suspected members of terror organisations”, which made him a “national security threat”.
A highly-regarded official who was named Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, Artan had “the biggest dream of my life” destroyed at US border control despite him insisting he had “the correct visa”.
The decision to turn him away has led to heightened criticism towards the Trump administration and Fifa for failing to deliver on promises of inclusivity for this World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday evening in Mexico City.
Artan has since received a hero’s welcome after returning to his homeland of Somalia and has now been awarded a showpiece European clash, refereeing the Super Cup match between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League holders Aston Villa on 12 August.
A Uefa statement read: “Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the Fifa international list since 2018.
“Among the most notable matches he has officiated is the second leg of the 2025/26 Caf Champions League final. In recognition of his performances, he received the Caf Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025.
“Artan had been included by Fifa in the match officials’ list for the Fifa World Cup 2026 but could not participate as he was not allowed to enter the United States.”
Uefa also cites the promotion of its “core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination” in appointing Artan as the match official.
Artan is far from the only footballing figure to have experienced visa troubles ahead of this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Iran seeing a number of “integral” members of team staff refused entry with the rest of the squad.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino responded to critics by telling everyone to “chill, relax” in another pre-World Cup press conference that would go down in infamy, four years on from declaring ahead of the Qatar World Cup: “Today, I feel gay. Today, I feel disabled.”
Infantino and Uefa president Aleksandr Ceferin have often found themselves butting heads over football issues and by appointing Artan, he has opened his Fifa counterpart to even more criticism.
Ceferin added: “Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.
“Football is made to connect people, and Uefa wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend Caf President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.”
